Buffy The Vampire Slayer: A picture book by Kim Smith Review (Gifted)

Hello Readers,

Thank you, Jamie and Quirk Books for sending me a copy of Buffy The Vampire Slayer by Kim Smith for free in exchange for an honest review.

Spoilers 

When I was growing up I was huge Buffy fan but I did jump straight over to Angel. When I was offered a copy of a Buffy the Vampire Slayer Picture Book I couldn't resist and I may have used this book as an excuse for multiple playdates. This really is the cutest little picture book and is a brilliant introduction to the characters for children who may have heard of but not yet got to know who Buffy is. 

this picture book is brought to life with enchanting illustrations, we are introduced to Buffy the Vampire Slayer and told that before she knew she was the Chosen One of her generation, a slayer, Buffy was afraid of the dark. We also get to see cuter younger versions of Willow and Xander and Giles makes an appearance which should thrill fans of the series. I loved looking for the little details that would make any Buffy fan smile in delight, you see familiar faces of the things that go bump in the night. There is the cutest bit where the pronunciation of Xander was explained by willow.

At bedtime, after Buffy's mum turns out the light, young Buffy hears scratches and thumps coming from her closet. She invites her friends Willow and Xander to sleep over. They have a great night—but can’t bring themselves to open the door to the noisy closet. The next day they ask school librarian good old Giles for help, and he tells Buffy that she must appear brave even when she doesn’t feel it and the monsters will be scared. She must face her fears. Xander and Willow stay over again, and the trio, behaving like the character developed in the TV series, enter the closet after dark to find a closet full of smiling monsters (Buffy fans will recognize some faces if not all). Buffy attacks and the monsters are intimidated and they soon everyone learns that kindness can lead to unusual alliances and the monsters join the party.

I have seen some reviews where people are criticizing the fact that Buffy didn’t know Willow or Xander as a child. Or that all the monsters that try to kill Buffy just end up partying with her as a child. this is meant for children the audience has changed and so the principle has to be slightly changed; it is the cute, innocent version of Buffy. Also, it’s a children’s book!!!!

The illustrations by Kim Smith are so adorable. The pictures are clear and bright with just the necessary words to move the story along. This sweet, silly, and not-so-scary book makes a perfect bedtime story. It offers a fine introduction to Buffy for the next generation.

L x